Crowning day at Crosshill

It was a glorious day of sunshine last Saturday, May 31, for the first gala organised by Crosshill’s ‘new’ community association which was formed only 18 months ago to avoid the villagers losing direct control of the community centre.

The committee members have been finding their feet and are now trying to re-instate some of the events that used to take place in the village while hopefully starting a few new traditions.

The parade left the community centre to make its way to the football park for the crowning of the Gala Queen Louisa McGill. Led by piper Craig Rowney and accompanied by her page Robbie Jack, Queen Louisa was driven by Dennis Nutt in his vintage 90 year-old Morris Oxford which he tells us was driven over the Swiss Alps by a previous owner in 1988. The royal party was followed by a number of local children and adults in fancy dress.

At the park, Jim Campbell, compere for the day, welcomed everyone and invited last year’s queen, Holly Maxwell, to crown her successor. The parent council ran a school fete in the absence of a community association last year and kept the tradition of having a queen.

Iain Jack provided background music with his disco equipment and pupils of Aileen Robertson thoroughly entertained everyone with their Highland dancing.

Spread around the park were 20 stalls run by local groups and small businesses; bouncy castles; pony rides (Trees farm); Silly Gilly - entertainment including face painting, hair braiding, tattoos, and a zumbathon for all to take part in; Scooby-Doo from Marvellous Mascots; teas with home baking; and there was first chance to buy the first ever Crosshill Calendar - for 2015 - containing historic photos of the village.

There has also been a village competition for the best flower pot with a Commonwealth theme, which had been judged by the gala queen the night before. This was won by Emily and Alexander Brown from Dalhowan Street.